6063-T5
Cooled from the press and artificially aged. The most common architectural temper: adequate strength with the best surface and lowest cost.
Architectural rectangular hollow section
6063 Aluminium Rectangular Tube
6063 rectangular tube is the extruded hollow section behind most aluminium windows, curtain walls, partitions, shopfitting and furniture: easy to extrude in thin walls, bright when anodised and strong enough in T5 or T6 for light structures. Metline supplies 6063 rectangular tubing in standard and custom sizes, mill finish, anodised or powder coated, to customers worldwide.
- Alloy
- 6063 (Al-Mg-Si)
- Tempers
- T5, T6, T52, T4
- Sizes
- 20 × 10 to 300 × 150 mm
- Standards
- ASTM B221 · EN 755-2
What is 6063 rectangular tube?
6063 rectangular tube is a hollow extrusion with two pairs of unequal sides, made from the low-alloy 6063 grade. Its strength sits below 6061, but it extrudes faster, in thinner walls and with a far better surface, which makes it the most economical choice for visible frames.
The rectangular shape is efficient in bending about its major axis: turning a 100 × 50 mm tube on edge roughly triples its stiffness compared with laying it flat. That is why mullions, transoms, door stiles, table aprons and display uprights are almost always rectangular rather than square. The long side carries the load; the short side keeps the section slim in elevation.
6063 contains only about 0.5 % magnesium and 0.4 % silicon, and its iron and copper limits are tight. The low alloy content lets the metal flow easily through complex porthole dies at high speed, so manufacturers can add screw ports, glazing grooves and gasket channels to a rectangular tube at little cost. The same chemistry gives the smooth, even surface for which 6063 is specified in architectural work.
6063 chemical composition (wt %)
| Element | Min | Max | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silicon (Si) | 0.20 | 0.60 | Combines with Mg to form Mg2Si |
| Iron (Fe) | — | 0.35 | Kept low for a bright, even anodised finish |
| Copper (Cu) | — | 0.10 | Kept low for corrosion resistance |
| Manganese (Mn) | — | 0.10 | |
| Magnesium (Mg) | 0.45 | 0.90 | Strengthening element with Si |
| Chromium (Cr) | — | 0.10 | |
| Zinc (Zn) | — | 0.10 | |
| Titanium (Ti) | — | 0.10 | Grain refiner |
| Others each / total | — | 0.05 / 0.15 | |
| Aluminium | Remainder |
Aluminum Association registered limits, mirrored in EN 573-3 for EN AW-6063.
Mechanical properties of 6063 rectangular tube
Architectural sections are normally T5; load-bearing members are T6. Check which temper your wind-load or structural calculation assumes before ordering.
| Temper / basis | Tensile strength | Yield strength (0.2 %) | Elongation | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| O, typical | 90 MPa / 13 ksi | 48 MPa / 7 ksi | 25 % | 25 HB |
| T4, typical | 172 MPa / 25 ksi | 90 MPa / 13 ksi | 22 % | 46 HB |
| T5, typical | 186 MPa / 27 ksi | 145 MPa / 21 ksi | 12 % | 60 HB |
| T6, typical | 241 MPa / 35 ksi | 214 MPa / 31 ksi | 12 % | 73 HB |
| T5, ASTM B221 minimum (≤ 12.5 mm) | 150 MPa / 22 ksi | 110 MPa / 16 ksi | 8 % | — |
| T6, ASTM B221 minimum | 205 MPa / 30 ksi | 170 MPa / 25 ksi | 8 % | — |
| T6, EN 755-2 minimum (wall ≤ 10 mm) | 215 MPa | 170 MPa | 8 % | — |
| T66, EN 755-2 minimum (wall ≤ 10 mm) | 245 MPa | 200 MPa | 8 % | — |
Physical properties
- Density
- 2.69 g/cm³
- Elastic modulus
- 68.9 GPa
- Thermal conductivity
- about 200 – 209 W/m·K (T6 / T5)
- Electrical conductivity
- about 53 – 55 % IACS (T6 / T5)
- Thermal expansion
- 23.4 µm/m·°C (20 – 100 °C)
- Melting range
- 615 – 655 °C
6063 tempers explained
6063-T6
Fully solution treated and aged, about 30 % stronger than T5. Chosen when the section carries load, such as handrails or wide-span mullions.
6063-T52
Aged to a slightly lower strength than T5 for better bendability and stability; often used for thermal-break and bent sections.
6063-T66
A European higher-strength variant of T6 obtained by tighter process control, listed in EN 755-2.
6063-T4
Naturally aged; easier to bend and stretch-form, then age to T5 or T6.
6063-O
Annealed for maximum formability before final shaping.
Standards and international equivalents
| System | Designation | Typical tube standard |
|---|---|---|
| ASTM / Aluminum Association | 6063 | ASTM B221 (extruded), B210 (drawn seamless), B241 (seamless pipe), B429 (structural) |
| UNS | A96063 | — |
| Europe | EN AW-6063 (AlMg0.7Si) | EN 755-2 properties; EN 755-8 / EN 755-9 tolerances; EN 12020 precision profiles |
| Germany | 3.3206 | DIN EN 755 |
| Old British | HE9 | BS 1474 (superseded by EN 755) |
| Japan | A6063 | JIS H4100 (shapes), JIS H4080 (tubes) |
| India | 63400 | IS 733 / IS 1285 |
6063 rectangular tube sizes, weights and section properties
Supply range
- Outside size
- From about 20 × 10 mm up to 300 × 150 mm; imperial 1 × 1/2 in to 12 × 6 in
- Wall thickness
- 0.8 – 10 mm
- Corners
- Sharp, radiused or rounded-end profiles
- Length
- 3 m, 5.8 m, 6 m or cut to length
- Finish
- Mill, anodised (AA10 – AA25), powder coated, wood-grain or brushed
Weights assume sharp corners and 2.70 g/cm³ (6063 is marginally lighter at 2.69). Ix and Zx are about the major axis (tube standing on its short side); Iy about the minor axis.
| Size (mm) | Wall (mm) | kg/m | Iₓ (cm⁴) | Zₓ (cm³) | I_y (cm⁴) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 × 10 | 1.2 | 0.179 | 0.32 | 0.32 | 0.10 |
| 30 × 15 | 1.5 | 0.340 | 1.41 | 0.94 | 0.45 |
| 40 × 20 | 2 | 0.605 | 4.45 | 2.22 | 1.44 |
| 50 × 25 | 2 | 0.767 | 9.01 | 3.60 | 2.96 |
| 60 × 30 | 2 | 0.929 | 15.95 | 5.32 | 5.30 |
| 60 × 40 | 3 | 1.523 | 27.39 | 9.13 | 14.31 |
| 76.2 × 25.4 | 1.6 | 0.850 | 21.68 | 5.69 | 3.75 |
| 80 × 40 | 3 | 1.847 | 55.85 | 13.96 | 18.43 |
| 100 × 50 | 3 | 2.333 | 112.12 | 22.42 | 37.44 |
| 100 × 50 | 4 | 3.067 | 144.13 | 28.83 | 47.37 |
| 120 × 60 | 4 | 3.715 | 255.20 | 42.53 | 84.77 |
| 150 × 50 | 4 | 4.147 | 404.10 | 53.88 | 68.58 |
| 150 × 100 | 5 | 6.480 | 754.50 | 100.60 | 399.50 |
| 200 × 100 | 6 | 9.331 | 1793.91 | 179.39 | 599.03 |
Tolerances, finish and inspection
Dimensional tolerances follow EN 755-9 or, for tighter precision, EN 12020-2 (used for 6060 and 6063 architectural profiles); ASTM orders follow ANSI H35.2. Appearance is often the deciding quality factor for 6063, so specify which faces are visible and the acceptable level of die lines, and order protective film where needed.
What we check
- Dimensions
- Outside size, wall thickness, corner radii, length
- Form
- Straightness, twist, flatness of faces and angular deviation
- Mechanical
- Tensile test or Webster hardness check per lot
- Finish
- Anodic film thickness, coating thickness, colour and gloss for finished tube
- Documents
- EN 10204 3.1 mill test certificate
Finishing and fabrication
Anodising
6063 is the reference alloy for decorative anodising: low iron and copper give a clear, uniform film in natural, bronze, black and champagne colours.
Powder coating
Accepts polyester and PVDF coatings to Qualicoat or AAMA 2603/2604/2605 specifications after chromate or chrome-free pre-treatment.
Welding
TIG and MIG with ER4043 or ER5356. Strength near the weld falls towards O-temper values, so weld at low-stress points.
Bending
Bends more readily than 6061. T5 or T52 tube suits stretch bending and roll bending for curved façades and furniture.
Machining
Softer than 6061 and can be gummy in T5; sharp, polished tools and lubricant give the best finish.
Corrosion
Very good resistance in urban and rural atmospheres, and good in coastal locations when anodised or coated.
Where 6063 rectangular tube is used
- Façades: curtain-wall mullions and transoms, louvre frames, sun-shade supports
- Windows and doors: frames, sliding door rails and stiles
- Interiors: office partitions, ceiling grids, glass balustrade frames
- Furniture: table frames, bed and sofa frames, shelving and kitchen systems
- Retail and exhibition: display stands, shopfitting and signage frames
- Light industrial: greenhouse frames, solar frames, enclosures and lightweight trolleys
- Transport interiors: bus and rail luggage racks and seat frames
6063 vs 6061 vs 6060 rectangular tube
| 6063-T5 | 6063-T6 | 6061-T6 | 6060-T6 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Typical yield | 145 MPa | 214 MPa | 276 MPa | about 160 – 190 MPa |
| Surface finish | Excellent | Excellent | Good | Excellent |
| Thin-wall extrudability | Excellent | Excellent | Moderate | Excellent |
| Relative cost | Lowest | Low | Higher | Lowest |
| Best for | Windows, trim | Light structures | Load-bearing frames | European architectural |
If a 6063 tube needs a heavier wall to carry the load, it is often cheaper to switch to 6061-T6 in a thinner wall. For heavily loaded frames see 6061 rectangular tube.
How to order 6063 rectangular tube
- SpecifyAlloy and temper (for example 6063-T5, 100 × 50 × 2 mm, anodised), section size and wall thickness, length, quantity and the governing standard (ASTM B221 or EN 755-2). A drawing helps for cut parts.
- QuoteWe confirm availability, tolerances, certification and delivery terms (EXW, FOB, CIF or DAP) for your destination.
- ProcessMaterial is cut to length, de-burred and, if you ask, bent, machined or finished before packing.
- DocumentEach shipment carries a mill test certificate to EN 10204 3.1 with chemistry and tensile results, plus the packing list. Third-party inspection can be arranged.
- ShipBundled with end caps and interleaving or packed in seaworthy wooden cases, then shipped by sea or air.
References and standards
- ASTM B221 – Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Extruded Bars, Rods, Wire, Profiles, and Tubes
- EN 755-2 – Extruded rod/bar, tubes and profiles: mechanical properties (with EN 755-7 / -8 / -9 dimensional tolerances)
- EN 573-3 – Aluminium and aluminium alloys: chemical composition and form of wrought products
- The Aluminum Association – International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits (Teal Sheets)
- EN 12020-2 – Extruded precision profiles in EN AW-6060 and EN AW-6063: tolerances
6063 rectangular tube: frequently asked questions
Is 6063 rectangular tube strong enough for structures?
For light structures, yes. 6063-T6 has a typical yield of about 214 MPa. For trailer frames, machine bases and other heavily loaded members, 6061-T6 or 6082-T6 is the better choice.
What is the weight of 100 × 50 × 3 mm aluminium rectangular tube?
About 2.33 kg per metre with sharp corners (2 × (100 + 50 − 6) × 3 × 2.70 / 1000). Radiused corners reduce this slightly.
Should I order T5 or T6?
T5 is cheaper and gives the same finish; it suits windows, trim and furniture. Order T6 when the tube carries structural load, such as balustrade posts or long-span mullions.
Can 6063 aluminum rectangular tube be anodised in colours?
Yes. 6063 is the standard alloy for decorative anodising in natural, bronze, black, champagne and other colours, and it also powder coats well.
Can you supply custom rectangular profiles?
Yes. Rectangular tube with grooves, screw ports or internal webs can be extruded to your drawing; a new die is needed for non-standard sections.
Need 6063 rectangular tube?
Send the size, wall, temper, finish, length and destination, and we will reply with availability and a delivered price.
